Visited my parents this weekend. It's the first time in about a month and a half since I've seen them. I expected that my father would be bald with the way my family talked, but actually he still has hair~and that pleases me. His arms looked a little thin in comparison to the last time I had seen him, but his color was good and in my opinion, he looked well....this was Friday evening. By Sunday, he really looked rather tired. Maybe we overwhelmed him with our rather large crew...We do have a tendency to do that sometimes!
He mostly sits in the chair that was originally purchased for my Grandpa before he passed away. He has the ability to adjust it with a remote to a reclining position or whatever he needs. This chair has helped tremendously! The Chemo has caused him to become very nauseated and have heartburn so badly that reclining that chair to just the right position is sometimes the only relief that he gets!
He did get up and sit outside for a few minutes while Ed mowed the backyard lawn. I wonder if he longed to do it himself. Yard work is one of his joys in life. I wish that he had enough strength so that he could do some of it himself. I think that he would like that.
This week is his off week for Chemo. He gets a little break from the horrible treatment. He said that often it isn't until the end of the second week that he begins to regain a little strength, just in time to start all over again. My mother says that sometimes just after the treatments, he feels better and has some energy but she thinks it's because of the steroids...it gives him just enough of a boost. In the beginning, just after he was diagnosed and just before he started Chemo, they gave him a regiment of steroids to help him with his energy level. It was as if they gave me my old father back! It was truly amazing how well it worked! He went from literally sleeping almost all day with no energy and feeling nauseated to....Himself again! I just can't explain the difference. Now if only that could happen again. I am sure it is all in time...it will happen again....
The best news is that he PET scan that he had last week showed a significant difference...They were able to compare the cancer before his treatments and the cancer after only two treatments. My mother said that much of the cancer had disappeared or shrunk a great deal! No more cancer in the bones, or lymph nods. So...the Chemo is working!!!!!! Yeah! I am sure that hearing this was such a relief for both of my parents.
I am so glad that we had the opportunity to visit this weekend.
On Sunday, Ed sat with my dad so that my mom and I could take the kids to church and listen to my little sister Mary speak on Mother's Day. It was a nice treat. She really did a great job...I felt much of her talk honored our own mother, and so it was special that my mom could go to listen.
Ed enjoyed sitting with my dad and watching the BYU channel for church (they watched a show where someone interviewed some WWII veterans. They discussed the miraculous power of prayer and priesthood blessings and how it effected them directly during the war.) This kind of church was right up his alley! I think he enjoyed sitting and hanging out with my dad.
Saturday consisted of the usually Target, Old Navy and Costco errands! Due to the fact that we only have a WALMART on the mountain...YUCK!....we have to wait until we travel to the Valley to shop at any of these places~And let me tell you, it is well worth the wait! I loath Walmart! (That topic is worthy of a whole other post later!)
Ed and I treated ourselves to some new running shoes while my little sister and her husband took all of the boys to play "laser tag" with their cousins for Steele's 5th birthday! The girls along with Lily and Lauren, went with Ed and I while we shopped for shoes. (Ed and I started working out at the local High School gym together with a trainer....he's already lost 5 pounds and it hasn't even been a week! Myself on the other had...I think I gained a pound!) After shopping, we went to my sisters house for pizza and ice cream to celebrate Steele's birthday.
Friday, we went to my nephews court of honor. He is the first of the grandchildren to receive the Eagle Scout award. I hope that Wesley will be the next...he is only 4 merit badges away from receiving his!
Monday this week, Wyatt and his team played and won yet another baseball game! Go Wyatt! He is doing well at it and seems to really enjoy it!
Tuesday I took Wylee to get her new glasses adjusted...they look so cute on her...they make her look much older than she really is!
Wesley is preparing for high school soccer! (Yes...I said HIGH SCHOOL!) He has been practicing with the team every Tuesday and Thursday with hopes of getting on the team next school year!
Will Jaye and Wylee are just excited for school to be out!
Winston is learning to draw and enjoys asking me about every letter and number...I think he is ready to start learning the alphabet!
Wyndel is still so small and cute and cuddly! She is FINALLY getting some hair too!
Ed and I are still getting used to the idea of having yet another "W" amongst this crazy clan of ours! We are both feeling a little old lately and this new work out program is quickly showing us just how old we really are! Today I feel it in every muscle and I am NOT looking forward to tonight! I am still sore from Monday!
Even still.....Life is Good!
